Me, Myself and Moisturizing

The skin is very important and is largest organ of the human body. Consequently, it requires special care. One the most effective ways in which you can care for your skin is by moisturizing. Moisturizers can be used to prevent the skin from becoming too dry or oily. They can be light, creamy, non-greasy or water water-based moisturizers. When choosing the type of moisturizer, each individual has to consider their skin type. Skin types include dry skin, oily skin, normal skin or sensitive skin. Check out our previous article “The Caribbean Skin” to figure out your skin type.

After figuring out your skin type skin type, the next step is to assess weather conditions of your environment. Whether the surrounding is cold, hot, dry or humid can affect the functionality of your moisturizer. After completing this test, you will be in a better position to select the moisturizer that works best with your skin.

The four main type of moisturizers are:

Humectants which draw water to the skin cells to keep skin hydrated ( YTS Hyaluronic acid)

Emollients which fill in any spaces or gaps between skin cells that are missing moisturizing lipids. They are essentially moisturising agents that are applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it. They cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture. (YTS Moisturizer)

Ceramides which replenishes the skin with lost ceramides so it is better able to retain moisture

Occlusive which is designed to douse the skin in moisture (recommended more for the body and not as much for the face). (Shea butters)

Regardless of skin type, it is essential to replenish the moisture lost during the cleansing process. Moisturizing twice a day helps skin to stay youthful by reducing the rate of wrinkle formation. Surprisingly, it also helps to balance the skin’s oil production rate. Typically persons with oily skin may want to use drying agents to reduce oil production. Some persons may even opt to not moisturize at all. What is typically astonishing about this practice is that not moisturizing may actually backfire, as you are tricking your glands into thinking that they need to produce more oils. So even though the skin may be dry temporarily, the final result is an influx of oil.

We’ve received several questions regarding moisturizing, the most common inquiry is “how will moisturizing benefit me?’ According to Early Care (n.d.), a suitable moisturizer can help prevent and treat dry skin, it can protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, and mask imperfections. This is evident in makeup application, as wearing moisturizer makes patches, creases and lines less visible when wearing makeup. Additionally, moisturizers hold water in the outermost layer of skin, they also act as a temporary barrier for your skin and it also protects the outer layer of the skin from harmful effects of sun, wind and other environmental factors.

In conclusion, using a moisturizer will help to keep your skin looking radiant and glowing throughout the day. The type of moisturizer a person uses is dependent on their type of skin and the general weather conditions they encounter. According to Williams (2014) moisturizing reduces the chances of skin problems, moisturizing can reduce the appearance of other blemishes, moisturizing helps your skin stay young, moisturizing fights wrinkles and it’s the perfect end to a hot shower. The best way to start a moisturizing habit is to do it in the morning and evening when you brush your teeth. By adding this extra step to your routine, you are on your way to attaining healthy skin.

We’d love to hear from you! How often do you moisturize? Comment below.